What separates successful startup founders from those who crash and burn? It's not luck. It's not their product. It's the skills they have.
After coaching over 50 startups and building 2 startups myself, I've seen firsthand what it takes to build a successful business.
Let me show you the 5 skills you need to build a successful startup. I will show you why they are so important and - most importantly - how you can learn them.
The only question is, do you have what it takes to build a successful startup?
Let's find out!
After coaching over 50 startups and building 2 startups myself, I've seen firsthand what it takes to build a successful business.
Let me show you the 5 skills you need to build a successful startup. I will show you why they are so important and - most importantly - how you can learn them.
The only question is, do you have what it takes to build a successful startup?
Let's find out!
Skill#1: Problem-Solving Skills
Let's start with one of the most important skills you need to have as a startup founder: Problem-solving skills.
As a startup founder, you're going to face a ton of obstacles EVERY DAY. And here's the kicker: you won't always know the solution right away. But what sets successful founders apart is their ability to solve these problems quickly.
Now, why is this skill so important?
Because your startup's journey is unpredictable. You may face technical challenges, struggle to attract new customers, adapt to market shifts, or even deal with team members leaving.
If you can't solve these problems quickly, you won't stay in business.
As a startup founder, you're going to face a ton of obstacles EVERY DAY. And here's the kicker: you won't always know the solution right away. But what sets successful founders apart is their ability to solve these problems quickly.
Now, why is this skill so important?
Because your startup's journey is unpredictable. You may face technical challenges, struggle to attract new customers, adapt to market shifts, or even deal with team members leaving.
If you can't solve these problems quickly, you won't stay in business.
So how do you learn this skill?
It's all about adopting that problem-solving mindset. Remind yourself every single day:
"No matter what problem comes next, I can solve it."
Don't hope that there will be no more problems, because well - that's not going to happen. Instead, tell yourself that you can solve any problem that comes your way. This is the best way to learn this problem-solving mindset.
Take a second and ask yourself - what was the last big problem you faced in your startup and what was your first thought when it came up? How did you approach it? Could you've handled it better?
Okay, now that you've built up your problem-solving skills, it's time to focus on a skill that's just as important, but often overlooked.
Powerful STARTUP RESOURCES"No matter what problem comes next, I can solve it."
Don't hope that there will be no more problems, because well - that's not going to happen. Instead, tell yourself that you can solve any problem that comes your way. This is the best way to learn this problem-solving mindset.
Take a second and ask yourself - what was the last big problem you faced in your startup and what was your first thought when it came up? How did you approach it? Could you've handled it better?
Okay, now that you've built up your problem-solving skills, it's time to focus on a skill that's just as important, but often overlooked.
Skill #2: Big Vision, Small Steps
As a founder, it's easy to get overwhelmed. You have so many things to do and your calendar is packed. I know how that feels. To overcome this and build a successful startup, you need to develop one specific skill: The ability to see your big vision, but focus on the small but important steps.
Why is this important?
You need to see your big vision to know where you are going. That big vision helps you make the right decisions. But the real magic happens when you break that vision down into actionable steps.
Why is this important?
You need to see your big vision to know where you are going. That big vision helps you make the right decisions. But the real magic happens when you break that vision down into actionable steps.
Without this skill, you'll either feel lost or you'll be constantly distracted by things that don't matter.
Basically, you don't know where you're going.
Basically, you don't know where you're going.
How do you learn this skill?
I made an extra video on how to do this - you can check it out here, but in short, it works like this: You write down your big vision and then break it down into smaller action steps, your milestones.
Each week you focus on 1 or 2 milestones and work on them until they are completed. That's the best way to make sure you stay on track.
So remember: The big vision gives you direction, but the small steps keep you moving forward. Keep your eyes on the horizon, but don’t forget to put one foot in front of the other.
Worksheets, templates, cheat sheetsEach week you focus on 1 or 2 milestones and work on them until they are completed. That's the best way to make sure you stay on track.
So remember: The big vision gives you direction, but the small steps keep you moving forward. Keep your eyes on the horizon, but don’t forget to put one foot in front of the other.
Skill #3: The Skill of Storytelling
Storytelling is one of the most underrated skills in the startup world. But it's also one of the most powerful.
Why is that?
Well, because stories sell. Whether you're pitching to investors, selling to customers, or trying to hire new team members, the ability to tell a compelling story can make all the difference.
Because with a great story, you create that emotional connection that's otherwise impossible.
Why is that?
Well, because stories sell. Whether you're pitching to investors, selling to customers, or trying to hire new team members, the ability to tell a compelling story can make all the difference.
Because with a great story, you create that emotional connection that's otherwise impossible.
How do you learn it?
2 ways: First, study great storytellers. You can watch some TED Talks or just read some books on storytelling. And second, you have to practice it.
So start by telling your own story. Think about your startup’s journey and craft a story arc:
• What problem are you solving (the conflict)?
• Why does it matter (the stakes)?
• And what challenges did you overcome (the resolution)?
This is the foundation of a great story.
• What problem are you solving (the conflict)?
• Why does it matter (the stakes)?
• And what challenges did you overcome (the resolution)?
This is the foundation of a great story.
Skill #4: The Skill of Decision-Making
As a founder, you will constantly face tough choices. Sometimes you'll have two paths in front of you, and you just don't know which one is right.
Hey - here is a secret. I can tell you what's definitely wrong - when you don't make a decision at all because you're so afraid of making a mistake. That's the worst thing you can do.
So that is where this skill comes in: The skill of decision making.
Successful founders know how to make decisions quickly and confidently, even with limited information. And they know that if they make the wrong decision in the first place, they can still fix it later.
Hey - here is a secret. I can tell you what's definitely wrong - when you don't make a decision at all because you're so afraid of making a mistake. That's the worst thing you can do.
So that is where this skill comes in: The skill of decision making.
Successful founders know how to make decisions quickly and confidently, even with limited information. And they know that if they make the wrong decision in the first place, they can still fix it later.
How do you learn it?
For me, it has helped to constantly remind myself that my decisions are not final. If I am wrong, I can still fix it later. None of my decisions have to be in place for the next 10 years.
So it's important to take away that fear of making a mistake. And second, before I make a big decision, I write down the pros, cons, and potential risks.
So it's important to take away that fear of making a mistake. And second, before I make a big decision, I write down the pros, cons, and potential risks.
So writing it down can help me make up my mind. I think the most important thing to remember is that it's better to make a decision than not to make a decision because you're afraid of making a mistake.
Pause for a moment and write down one recent decision you struggled with.
• How did you approach this?
• Did you act quickly or did you hesitate?
• What could you improve?
Write it down.
Powerful STARTUP RESOURCESPause for a moment and write down one recent decision you struggled with.
• How did you approach this?
• Did you act quickly or did you hesitate?
• What could you improve?
Write it down.
Skill #5: Emotional Intelligence
The next skill I'm going to show you is a game-changer: It's the secret weapon of startup success. The skill of emotional intelligence.
As a founder, you work with people all the time. Whether it's your team, your customers or your investors. Emotional intelligence is your superpower as a founder. It helps you connect with people. And that is super critical to build trust.
But it's also the hardest skill to learn. Because you have to become more self-aware. You have to pay attention to how you react in different situations and you have to practice empathy - you basically put yourself in other people's shoes.
I know some startup founders who - let's just say - aren't exactly high on emotional intelligence, but they still managed to succeed. So yeah, you can build a successful startup without it. But trust me, if you’ve got a decent level of emotional intelligence, the whole journey gets a lot easier.
As a founder, you work with people all the time. Whether it's your team, your customers or your investors. Emotional intelligence is your superpower as a founder. It helps you connect with people. And that is super critical to build trust.
But it's also the hardest skill to learn. Because you have to become more self-aware. You have to pay attention to how you react in different situations and you have to practice empathy - you basically put yourself in other people's shoes.
I know some startup founders who - let's just say - aren't exactly high on emotional intelligence, but they still managed to succeed. So yeah, you can build a successful startup without it. But trust me, if you’ve got a decent level of emotional intelligence, the whole journey gets a lot easier.
What's next
Now you know the skills you need to be a successful startup founder. I really want you to practice these skills because they are so important.
But hey, here’s the thing: just knowing these skills isn’t enough—it’s only the foundation for building a successful startup. That’s why I created the Startup Success Bundle, where you’ll learn how to build a thriving startup with a proven step-by-step system.
Get the Startup Success Bundle here:
But hey, here’s the thing: just knowing these skills isn’t enough—it’s only the foundation for building a successful startup. That’s why I created the Startup Success Bundle, where you’ll learn how to build a thriving startup with a proven step-by-step system.
Get the Startup Success Bundle here:
